Formalin controversy was political game by leading parties: Maulana Ibrahim

06 Dec 201806:12am IST

06 Dec 201806:12am IST

Report byTeam Herald

The President of the Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association felt the tests were not done in the prescribed manner

Margao: President of Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association Maulana Ibrahim has said the controversy over the use of formalin to preserve fish was a political game involving leading political parties in Goa. He was speaking announcing the import of fish using insulated vehicles which will commence from Thursday.

Although he is the president of the Association, he clarified that he does not trade the fish imported to Goa. “I am not in that business as I import fish for my fish processing unit where it is treated and exported to foreign countries,” he said.

He said 95 per cent of the fish that is exported through Mormugao Port Trust is imported from other States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala or Tamil Nadu and further clarified that he is not at all involved in exporting Goan fish to other states but only imports processed food overseas.

“I have just been made a target by certain elements because of my proximity to Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardessai,” he said and predicted the Congress Party would suffer for mishandling the whole issue.

Pointing out that he has a laboratory at his plant that tests fish to match the requirements of the European markets, he said the spot test done by Food and Drugs Administration was not done in the prescribed manner due to which there were wrong readings.

“Even when the Congress came to test the fish in the retail market, they did not get a qualified technician to carry out the test and therein lies their fault,” he said pointing out that it was mandatory to get a qualified person to do the test instead of simply agitating people.

However, he said fish from outside Goa will be imported from Thursday using insulated vehicles even though these vehicles cost double the price of the other vehicles that were used to transport the fish.

“Why should the small fishermen from neighbouringMalwan or Karwar be burdened with investing in insulated vessels when they can transport their catch within a few hours to Goa in mini trucks or Bolero jeeps?” he asked.